Discusses how child caregivers can work with child life specialists to provide appropriate support for children with special health needs in early childhood settings. Describes the impact of chronic illness and hospitalization on infants and toddlers, offers suggestions for helping infants/toddlers and their families cope, focuses on play as a way…

This editorial reviews the literature on the emotional states of gifted children, pointing out design flaws and the problem of using averages in such studies. Specific topics discussed include supersensitivity, guilt feelings in those who are gifted, the gifted underachiever, stress and coping, and fields for future research. (PB)

Presents family systems model for understanding adaptation and coping in childhood chronic illness. Provides overview of systems and social-ecological theories relevant to this population. Reviews literature on stress and coping in these families. Examines unique issues and discusses importance of these models for responding to families with…

Discusses various theories concerning the purpose of children's humor, especially in the classroom. Describes ways in which children use humor to deal with stress. (RJC)

When children with learning disabilities fail to learn effective reading strategies, they lose enthusiasm and develop negative self-perceptions and attitudes, jeopardizing future achievement. In response, instructional approaches emphasizing clear explanation of reading strategies and discussion of processes for constructing meaning have been…

Reports survey results on the major factors or stressors related to teaching business and professional writing and the actual or potential coping strategies to reduce that stress. (SR)

Major life changes and role transitions, though often treated as stressors necessitating adjustment, in fact produce a wide range of effects on mental health. Focusing on the role context within which transition events occur, finds that life transitions can be nonproblematic or even beneficial when preceded by chronic role problems. (AF)

A sample of 500 Black American males was studied to determine if there was a causal relationship between underemployment and/or underpayment and psychosocial stress. No significant relationships were found. (JS)

Describes development and dissemination of Volunteer Information Provider Program (VIPP), an informational sharing program to assist rural family caregivers of older adults, first piloted in Missouri and later disseminated to 20 states. (Author/CM)

Considers American Indian victimization in terms of the theoretical bases of structural determinants, interactional determinants, and culture contact and labeling. Discusses Robert K. Merton's adaptations to stress and urges their extension. Traces the author's life journey in trying to understand the nature of coercion by the dominant culture as…

Examined child development research and relocation research to help school counselors understand a child's age-related concept of and typical reaction to relocation. Suggests action steps for counselors that can maximize a child's positive adjustment to a new environment. (NB)

Discusses a bilingual literary unit (English and Spanish) of scarey stories, intended to help students learn about this body of literature and discover ways of coping with fear themselves. Includes a 14-item annotated bibliography of suitable texts. (SR)

This paper examines characteristics of resilience and compares characteristics of giftedness and resilience. It discusses cognitive appraisal as a mechanism used by gifted children as they develop resilience. Applications for working with gifted students and areas for future research are noted. (JDD)

Seven gifted children (ages 9-14), their families, teachers, and friends were interviewed concerning their adjustment and coping with stress. Patterns which applied to all seven children are described, including: adjustment as process, use of withdrawal or self-initiated timeout, creation of challenges, assertiveness, recognition of achievement,…

Presents results of study undertaken to learn what academically successful American Indian students at one postsecondary school encounter and what persons and/or support services help with their academic success. Most students indicated family of primary support. Few reported obstacles were academic, indicating the importance of student support…